Mahony defends legacy on church abuse in blog

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2007 file photo, Cardinal Roger Mahony speaks during an annual multi-ethnic migration Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez has relieved retired Cardinal Roger Mahony of his remaining duties, on the same night the church released thousands more files on priest sexual abuse. Gomez released a statement Thursday Jan. 31, 2013, saying he has told Mahony he will no longer have any administrative or public duties. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)
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FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2007 file photo, Cardinal Roger Mahony speaks during an annual multi-ethnic migration Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez has relieved retired Cardinal Roger Mahony of his remaining duties, on the same night the church released thousands more files on priest sexual abuse. Gomez released a statement Thursday Jan. 31, 2013, saying he has told Mahony he will no longer have any administrative or public duties. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)
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File-This Jan. 22, 2013 file photo alleged clergy abuse victims Mary Stenger, left, is comforted by Betty Schmitt during a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. Cardinal Roger Mahony, who retired with a tainted career after dodging criminal charges over how he handled pedophile priests, was stripped of duties by his successor as a judge ordered confidential church personnel files released. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong,FILE)— AP

File-This Jan. 22, 2013 file photo alleged clergy abuse victims Mary Stenger, left, is comforted by Betty Schmitt during a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. Cardinal Roger Mahony, who retired with a tainted career after dodging criminal charges over how he handled pedophile priests, was stripped of duties by his successor as a judge ordered confidential church personnel files released. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong,FILE)
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FILE - In this Jan. 22,2013 file photo alleged clergy abuse victim Ken Smolka walks past the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels after a news conference in Los Angeles. Cardinal Roger Mahony, who retired with a tainted career after dodging criminal charges over how he handled pedophile priests, was stripped of duties by his successor as a judge ordered confidential church personnel files released. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong,File)— AP

FILE - In this Jan. 22,2013 file photo alleged clergy abuse victim Ken Smolka walks past the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels after a news conference in Los Angeles. Cardinal Roger Mahony, who retired with a tainted career after dodging criminal charges over how he handled pedophile priests, was stripped of duties by his successor as a judge ordered confidential church personnel files released. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong,File)
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In this photo taken Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, an parishioner prays inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)— AP

In this photo taken Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, an parishioner prays inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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Students walk past the Cathedral Of Our Lady Of Angels the seat of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on Friday Feb. 1,2013 . Cardinal Roger Mahony, who retired with a tainted career after dodging criminal charges over how he handled pedophile priests, was stripped of duties by his successor as a judge ordered confidential church personnel files released. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)— AP

Students walk past the Cathedral Of Our Lady Of Angels the seat of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on Friday Feb. 1,2013 . Cardinal Roger Mahony, who retired with a tainted career after dodging criminal charges over how he handled pedophile priests, was stripped of duties by his successor as a judge ordered confidential church personnel files released. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
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FILE-this April 1, 2012 file photo Archbishop Jose Gomez speaks during the celebration of Palm Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. Gomez relieved retired Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony of his remaining duties on the same night the church released thousands more files on priest sexual abuse. Gomez released a statement Thursday night Jan. 31, 2013, saying he has told Mahony he will no longer have any administrative or public duties. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon,File)— AP

FILE-this April 1, 2012 file photo Archbishop Jose Gomez speaks during the celebration of Palm Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. Gomez relieved retired Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony of his remaining duties on the same night the church released thousands more files on priest sexual abuse. Gomez released a statement Thursday night Jan. 31, 2013, saying he has told Mahony he will no longer have any administrative or public duties. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon,File)
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This Monday, Jan. 21,2013 photo visitors tour the grounds of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels the seat of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)— AP

This Monday, Jan. 21,2013 photo visitors tour the grounds of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels the seat of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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Members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests hold a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)— AP

Members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests hold a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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Survivor Rita Milla, center, hugs a fellow member of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, before holding a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)— AP

Survivor Rita Milla, center, hugs a fellow member of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, before holding a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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Survivor Angie Story, 67, right, holds on to a picture of "Eric," a victim of sexual abuse who committed suicide, as members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, before holding a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)— AP

Survivor Angie Story, 67, right, holds on to a picture of "Eric," a victim of sexual abuse who committed suicide, as members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, before holding a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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Survivor Esther Miller, holds newly released files of her perpetrator Rev. Deacon Michael Nocita, seen in middle picture, as she joins Members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests during a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)— AP

Survivor Esther Miller, holds newly released files of her perpetrator Rev. Deacon Michael Nocita, seen in middle picture, as she joins Members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests during a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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Frank Zamora, 67, holds an old photo of his son Dominic Zamora, then 8, sitting on the lap of his abuser, priest Michael Stephen Baker, as Zamora joins members the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) during a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles Monday, Feb. 1, 2013. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)— AP

Frank Zamora, 67, holds an old photo of his son Dominic Zamora, then 8, sitting on the lap of his abuser, priest Michael Stephen Baker, as Zamora joins members the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) during a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles Monday, Feb. 1, 2013. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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LOS ANGELES 
Retired Roman Catholic Cardinal Roger Mahony defended his tattered legacy in a sharply worded letter to his successor, a day after Archbishop Jose Gomez stripped him of his administrative duties and bowed to a court order to release thousands of pages of confidential files on sexually abusive priests.

In a letter posted Friday on his personal blog, Mahony challenged Gomez for publicly shaming him and said he developed policies to safeguard children after taking over in 1985, despite being unequipped to deal with the molester priests he inherited.

Mahony had apologized two weeks ago after another release of similar files showed he and other top aides worked behind the scenes to protect the church from the growing scandal, keep offending clerics out of state and prevent public disclosure of sex crimes committed by priests.

Gomez was well aware when he took over in 2011 of the steps Mahony had taken to develop better clergy sex abuse policies and never questioned his leadership until Thursday, Mahony wrote.

"Unfortunately, I cannot return now to the 1980s and reverse actions and decisions made then. But when I retired as the active archbishop, I handed over to you an archdiocese that was second to none in protecting children and youth," Mahony wrote.

The letter was remarkable because it revealed infighting between two highly placed church leaders when members of the Roman Catholic hierarchy rarely break ranks publicly, said the Rev. Thomas Doyle, a canon lawyer who worked for the Vatican's Washington, D.C., embassy who also has served as an expert witness for victims in clerical abuse cases.

"It is so rare because they stick together like glue," he said. "The fact that Gomez said what he said, this had to have been cleared by the Vatican, they had to have discussed this with the Vatican. Mahony took the fall."

Gomez declined an interview request from The Associated Press.

The exchange also indicates the stress Mahony is under following several weeks of damaging disclosures of priest personnel files that reveal he and a top aide, Thomas Curry, who is now a bishop, maneuvered to shield priests from prosecution, kept parishioners in the dark and failed to call police about sex crimes against minors.

Gomez's public rebuke of Mahony, 76, for failing to take swift action against abusive priests adds tarnish to a career already overshadowed by the church sex abuse scandal, but it does little to change his role in the larger church.

The archbishop also accepted a resignation request from Curry, who most recently served as auxiliary bishop in charge of the archdiocese's Santa Barbara region.

The fallout will get worse as parishioners themselves begin to read the thousands of pages of documents that are now posted on the archdiocese website.

The files were to be released as part of a record-breaking $660 million settlement with more than 500 victims of sex abuse, but lawyers for the archdiocese and individual priests waged a five-year battle to keep them sealed. On Thursday, a judge ordered them released without significant redactions after attorneys for The Associated Press and Los Angeles Times intervened.